When you plug in your iPod Classic using its USB cord, it should appear as a removable disk drive at your PC’s My Computer or Computer section. However, on some occasions the PC may not recognize the iPod at all, which means that it won’t show up on the iTunes media player, either. Resetting the iPod and checking cable connections usually solves the problem.

Reset

Usually, simply resetting the iPod solves the problem. First, check that the iPod is fully charged. If it is, toggle the Hold switch on and off. Then press and hold the "Menu" and center buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo. The center button is the dark grey circle that forms the middle of the click wheel. The logo will appear about six to 10 seconds after pressing the buttons.

Connectivity

If resetting the iPod doesn't work, try checking the computer's ports and the iPod's cord. Disconnect all USB devices from the PC, including printers, cameras and flash drives. Then connect the iPod to the computer using its USB cord. You can try all the USB ports on the computer to see whether a port or two is faulty. Clear the USB ports from any physical obstructions such as dust or dirt. The connection between the iPod and PC should be tight. If you have an extra iPod cable, use that one instead to find out if there’s a problem with the original cord. If the PC still doesn’t detect the iPod, restart it and install the latest software updates for Windows and iTunes.

USB Drives and Reinstallation

Verify that all of the computer's USB drives are installed and working properly. First, connect the iPod to the PC and quit iTunes if it opens. Then right-click Computer from the Start menu. Choose "Properties" to go to the Device Manager. You should be able to locate the iPod under the “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” section. If you locate it and notice a red “X” next to it, right-click on the selection to enable the device. You can also uninstall and reinstall the device to ensure that it works. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall iTunes with the latest version.

Other Troubleshooting

If you have any security software running, disable it, since some third-party software is capable of preventing the PC from recognizing the iPod. If there’s another computer around, test the iPod on it to find out if the original one is faulty. If the PC still doesn't detect the iPod, to take it to an Apple Retail Store for service.

About the Author

Dan Wonder has been a writer since 2007, contributing to publications such as “Georgetown Research News.” He runs his own PR/communications firm and has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in journalism.